A delegation from the China-Japan Friendship Association led by President Tan Jiaxuan, together with newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua, visited Soka University on Saturday. Conferred an honorary doctorate from the university for his contributions to improve bilateral relations and peace, President Tan also delivered the keynote address at a commemorative lecture.

The delegation from China was greeted by Soka University President Hideo Yamamoto, Soka Women’s College President Hideaki Ishii, members of the Board of Trustees, along with representatives from the faculty, student body and exchange students.

In his address, President Tan said Soka University strove to create constructive value in students and “embodied the principles of human dignity.” He gave high praise for the numerous academic exchange agreements that Soka has entered with China’s leading institutes of higher learning. He also noted that Ambassador Cheng, who spent two years studying at Soka, was among the first exchange students to come to Japan. He described university founder Daisaku Ikeda as “an old friend of China” and pioneering proponent of normalizing Sino-Japanese ties, based on his belief that bilateral friendship was crucial to the peace and stability in Asia.

Following the commemorative lecture, President Tan and Ambassador Cheng met with Mr. Ikeda, reaffirming their commitment to improving relations between the two countries.